Construction of Ekiti's $80 million Knowledge Zone, which brought an end to a 12-year standstill, set to commence in 2026.
The Ekiti Knowledge Zone (EKZ), an $80 million AfDB-backed project, is set to transform Ekiti State into a hub for science, technology, and innovation. Conceived in 2013 with the vision to emulate Dubai’s Education City, the EKZ has undergone a significant transformation over the years.
Initially, the EKZ was designed as an education-centric hub, hosting global universities and aiming to bring world-class education to Ekiti State. However, a political transition in 2014 led to a four-year stall in the project, halting progress on the EKZ and other strategic initiatives.
Fast forward to 2023, the EKZ is transitioning from its original education-centric model into a broader, business-driven technology and innovation hub. The Ekiti State Development and Investments Promotion Agency is spearheading this transformation, backed by an $80 million African Development Bank fund. Construction is slated to begin in the third quarter of 2026.
The new vision for the EKZ focuses on anchoring a self-sustaining knowledge economy, integrating research and development, a teaching hospital, and polytechnic education, collectively dubbed the “Life Sciences Knowledge Corridor” adjoining local universities. The EKZ will also develop 20 hectares, including offices, learning spaces, innovation ports for product prototyping, and residential units for visiting professionals.
The Ekiti State Ministry of Innovation, Science, and Digital Economy (MISDE), established in 2023, leads this digital transformation and innovation agenda. The MISDE aligns education with industry needs, runs digital literacy boot camps (notably STEAM and robotics programs), and supports startups through talent development and infrastructure projects such as EKIREN, a state-wide reliable internet service across all universities. The EKZ ecosystem also involves teacher retooling programs to ensure educators can deliver next-generation tech skills effectively.
Governance of the EKZ project is overseen by the Ekiti State Development and Investments Promotion Agency, collaborating with MISDE for strategic implementation. Governor Biodun Oyebanji's administration emphasizes systematic execution, ecosystem-building one startup or teacher at a time, rather than merely pursuing buzzwords. This includes structured innovation fostering programs like the Young Innovation Programme and startup accelerations, with MISDE fully digitizing its operations to support these goals.
The EKZ aims to create a high-innovation district with continuous feedback loops between academia and industry to avoid the disconnect that often leaves Nigerian graduates with skills mismatched to market needs. A two-year project is planned to build a fibre-optic ring connecting government institutions, schools, and healthcare facilities.
It's important to note that the EKZ will not be state-run, with the role of the Ekiti government being policy enablement, not day-to-day management. The leaders of the EKZ believe it can become a national model for knowledge-driven economic growth, with a strong talent-development pipeline.
| Aspect | Details | |---------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Origin | Conceived in 2013 as an education hub modeled after Dubai Education City | | Early setback | Political change in 2014 caused a four-year stall | | Current model | Transition to a business-driven, tech-innovation hub anchored by research, education, health, and startups | | Funding and timeline | $80 million AfDB-backed; construction to start Q3 2026 | | Key players | Ekiti State Development and Investments Promotion Agency, Ministry of Innovation, Science, and Digital Economy | | Educational focus | Integrating life sciences corridor, digital skills from primary school, teaching hospital, polytechnic, universities| | Digital infrastructure| EKIREN internet project, STEAM boot camps, robotics academy, upskilling teachers | | Governance approach | Strategic continuity, ecosystem building, talent development, startup funding, fully digitized ministry | | Industry-academia link | Continuous feedback loops to avoid skills mismatch | | Infrastructure | Fibre-optic ring for government institutions, schools, and healthcare facilities | | Governance structure | Policy enablement, not day-to-day management | | National impact | Aiming to become a national model for knowledge-driven economic growth |
- The Ekiti State Development and Investments Promotion Agency, with the help of the African Development Bank fund, is focusing on transforming the EKZ into a self-sustaining knowledge economy, enhancing funding for technology, fintech, and innovation, especially in areas like payments and sports.
- As part of the digital transformation agenda led by the Ekiti State Ministry of Innovation, Science, and Digital Economy, startups in these sectors like technology, fintech, and payments may receive support through talent development and infrastructure projects such as EKIREN, ensuring they are well-equipped for the global market.
- With a strong emphasis on innovation fostering programs like the Young Innovation Programme and startup accelerations, the EKZ aims to create a high-innovation district that can integrate various sectors, including technology, sports, and fintech, to bridge the gap between academia and industry and produce a talented workforce capable of driving economic growth in Nigeria.
